The Galatea effect

The Galatea effect, also known as the Pygmalion effect, is a psychological phenomenon in which higher expectations lead to an increase in performance. This effect is named after the story of Pygmalion, a sculptor from Greek mythology who fell in love with a statue he had carved named Galatea. In the context of psychology and education, the Galatea effect suggests that when teachers or supervisors have high expectations for their students or subordinates, those individuals tend to perform better as a result of the increased expectations placed upon them. This phenomenon highlights the powerful influence that expectations can have on behavior and performance.